Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vision Zero Jersey City?

Vision Zero JC aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Jersey City roadways by the year 2026.

Are traffic crashes really a big problem in Jersey City?

Yes. On average, 9 people are killed and 40 people are seriously injured as a result of traffic crashes every year, just in Jersey City alone. Thousands more are injured, including hundreds of pedestrians. Each of these incidents has a dramatic effect on members of our community.

What about distracted drivers, walkers, and cyclists, and people who don’t follow the rules of the road? How can Vision Zero overcome that?

Is the goal “zero traffic deaths and serious injuries” realistic?

It seems like Vision Zero focuses on people walking and biking. Why?

What will Vision Zero actually do to bring down traffic deaths?

How do you decide where to implement Vision Zero strategies?

Who is involved with creating and implementing Vision Zero strategies?

A core principle of Vision Zero is recognizing that people driving, walking, and bicycling will make mistakes; on the road. Recognizing that these mistakes can be deadly, the City can implement strategic safety programs and design improvements to reduce the chance that these mistakes result in death or serious injury.

It is an ambitious goal that we will work together to achieve. To reach it, Jersey City must will concentrate its efforts and dedicate existing resources to make improvements city-wide, and particularly along streets where there are high rates of injury. Vision Zero will make changes to our streets to make them safer for all users and help people of all ages and abilities feel more comfortable on our streets.

First, Vision Zero prioritizes our most vulnerable road users. This includes children, the elderly, and disabled, who tend to be on foot or bikes. Also, the rate of death and serious injury is higher for a crash involving someone walking or biking, making them the most vulnerable when compared to other types of road users. Making our streets safer for those most vulnerable benefits everyone.

Vision Zero will reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries by making safety improvements on our most dangerous streets, as well as focusing on education and enforcement that is proven to change dangerous behavior. Crashes will still occur, but we can reduce deaths and serious injuries by decreasing the amount of crashes and the severity of those that do occur.

Many roadway design improvements will occur over time across the city as we do regular road and sidewalk maintenance projects. We are currently gathering data to create a “High Injury Network”, which identifies the streets in Jersey City with the highest injury rates. High injury areas will receive priority for more extensive improvements.

Vision Zero requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach to be successful. In order to get buy-in from the various agencies that are necessary to implement Vision Zero strategies, they are all participating in the creation of an action plan. The Vision Zero Task Force includes representatives from 10 city offices.

Community organizations also play an important role in planning and implementation of Vision Zero. BikeJC and Safe Streets JC are both on the Vision Zero Task Force, and many more will be engaged as we seek community feedback.

Last, and most importantly - you! Your on-the-ground knowledge of Jersey City’s streets and stories about using them are vital to seeing the whole picture and making the case for Vision Zero. Get involved by attending events and participating in online opportunities to provide feedback. Get started by filling out the online survey and interactive map here.

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